Neighborhood-Kids All Local. All for Kids. All the Time.

Theresa Carpine

•   Learn about Bellingham's Sister Cities
  

  If you want to help your kids develop an interest in geography and other cultures in the world, you might want to start by investigating one of Bellingham’s Sister Cities. President Dwight D. Eisenhower first proposed the idea for this “people-to-people” program, now known as Sister Cities International, in 1956. Bellingham has participated in the program since 1958 and currently maintains “sister city” status with five cities around the world.

•   Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch
  

  While grabbing a pumpkin at your neighborhood Haggen is convenient, there’s nothing quite like loading up the kids in the car and heading out to a local farm to find the perfect pumpkin for jack-o-lantern carving, right off the vine. So here are a few facts about some Whatcom and Skagit County farms that you might want to check out if you’re planning a pumpkin patch expedition this October.

•   Flights of Fancy at Dream Science Circus
  

  In a warehouse across the street from Bellingham High School, you might not expect to find the thrills and chills of a circus in such a small space. But the intimate setting only magnifies the magic and wonder of Bellingham’s own Dream Science Circus. This U&I Production show has toured the country and the world, but they've returned home this October to offer a series of shows in honor of their 5th anniversary.

•   Parent to Parent of Whatcom County
  

  Parent to Parent is a support program that provides emotional and informational support to parents of children with a variety of special needs, developmental delays and disabilities. The core value of Parent to Parent is to help parents during an emotionally stressful time and to provide ongoing support in the future through a one-on-one connection with another parent. Our local Whatcom County chapter has been operating since the 1980s.

•   Celebrating the Freedom to Read
  

  Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read is an annual event sponsored in part by the American Library Association each year. The nation-wide event gathers librarians, authors, booksellers, publishers and journalists together to remind Americans not to take their democratic freedom to read for granted. This year, the Banned Books Week Read-Out! Kick-off took place in Chicago, IL on Saturday September 27th.

•   Learn More About Banned Books Week
  

  Depending on their age, the idea of banning books might be a foreign topic for your kids, but there’s plenty you can do this week to educate them, and yourself, about the freedom to read. It's a great opportunity to share some early United States history and the First Amendment, and help kids see how their voice and opinions can make a difference in institutions, from the library to the government.

•   Activities for Housebound Kids
  

  Being sick is the pits when you’re a kid. Sure, you get a day off from school, but you usually don’t have the energy to enjoy it like you normally would. And depending on their age, kids can have trouble understanding why they need to stay in bed all day and put up a fight when it comes to taking that pesky cold medicine. So if the kids are home sick, here are a few suggestions to help make them a little happier, and hopefully make the day go by faster.

•   Meet Moms at MOMS Clubs in Whatcom County
  

  Starting a new phase in your life as an at-home mom can take some getting used to, especially if you’re also new to the area. A great resource for at-home moms in Whatcom County is MOMS Club. The first MOMS Club of Whatcom County began in the summer of 1999 and split into two chapters, North Bellingham and South Bellingham, in 2001. A Ferndale chapter formed in 2003 to reach even more moms in north Whatcom County.

•   They Don't Call It Happy Hour for Nothing
  

  While a trip to a local restaurant without the kids in tow could feel like an occurrence rarer than the appearance of Halley's Comet, Happy Hour deals on drinks and appetizers make for a quick getaway for you and your spouse, without the budget of dinner, a movie, and a sitter. So the next time your kids are invited over to a friend's after school, make a date with your mate and check out some nearby bars and their Happy Hour specials.

•   4th Annual Eat Local Week in Bellingham
  

  If you’re anything like me, it doesn’t take much to come up with a good “excuse” for eating out. But this week you have the perfect reason for visiting some of your favorite local restaurants—perhaps even more than once!—as it’s Sustainable Connections’ 4th Annual Eat Local Week, a celebration of the various local products available from Whatcom County farms and food processers during the harvest season.

•   Bham Music Lives On As Keyboard Kids Closes
  

  Near the intersection of West Illinois Street and Sunset Drive, there’s little question as to what services Keyboard Kids, with a piano keyboard painted along the roof, provides. But as owner JoAnn Armstrong closes the music teaching studio, who knows what’s next for this place where over a thousand children from age 18 months to 12 years received group piano lessons from “Miss JoAnn” during the past twenty years.

•   Kids are Walking to School Around the World
  

  School is just getting started this fall and Whatcom County kids are invited to start the year off right by participating in International Walk to School Day, on October 8, 2008. Organizers are hoping to include participants from 5,000 schools across all 50 states this year, as well as walkers in 40 countries around the globe. EverybodyBIKE organizers hope the event will inspire to walk to school all year long.

•   Bargains in Bellingham for Back to School
  

  When I was growing up, I loved the annual “Back to School” shopping trip. To save some cash, consider shopping at local consignment and thrift stores this year. It's a great idea for the budget-minded family, as you can often find brand-name clothes at reasonable prices. Plus, you can clean out your closets to consign clothes that your kids have outgrown, and a few stores in town even offer trades or cash for clothes.

•   Kids Can Get Familiar with Computers at WCC
  

  It’s amazing all that can be accomplished with computers these days. Just about anyone can record a professional sounding CD of music or produce a TV-worthy digitally animated cartoon from a home computer. If your kids are interested in learning about creating artwork on the computer, you might want to explore some of the programs for kids offered with Whatcom Community College Community Education.

•   Protecting Your Child's Safety on the 'Net
  

  If you’re reading the words on this website, you’re obviously an Internet-savvy adult. And depending on their age, your kids might also be well-versed in surfing the web. The Internet provides some great resources for kids, but there are potential risks that come with letting your child go online too. Before letting them log on, here are some precautions to take to keep your child safe when using the Internet.

•   Fairhaven Girls' School to Open This Fall
  

  “You have to use your imagination,” Amanda Werchan said as she walked through a former lawn mower shop that’s currently being transformed into a private school for middle school girls. Altering the barren commercial space into a school for 15 pre-teen girls seems ambitious, but with Amanda’s determination, the school will definitely be ready on September 2 for the first class of Fairhaven Girls’ School.

•   Bellingham Kids Get Crafty at the Library
  

  On a quintessential Bellingham summer day—sunny skies with a comfortable breeze—160 local kids manned booths at the 40th Annual Children’s Craft Fair on the Bellingham Central Library lawn. This year’s fair on Friday, July 25 featured 56 different booths offering wares like pottery, reusable shopping bags made out of t-shirts and duct tape, and tooth fairy pillows, along with tasty refreshments, like Italian Sodas and baked goods.

•   Taste the Local Flavor of Mallard Ice Cream
  

  My favorite thing about summer is the sun. Not only do I enjoy the warm weather, but I love the extra hours of daylight. When the sun doesn’t set until nine o’clock, there’s plenty of time for an after-dinner walk to downtown Bellingham for some frozen dessert. My second favorite thing about summer is probably Mallard Ice Cream. No matter what age you are, a Bellingham summer is incomplete without enjoying the wares of this funky, local ice cream shop.

•   Bellingham Schools Building Buzz
  

  The buzz around Bellingham Public Schools these days is about their current building projects. Along with updates and general maintenance, three new buildings (two for new schools in the district) are in various stages of development. With attendance boundaries shifting and unique visions for future schools, let’s take a look at some of the facts about these new schools and what the changes mean for Bellingham families.

•   What’s New on the Bellingham Waterfront?
  

  The winds of change are wafting through Bellingham, specifically in the Waterfront District. It’s been a soft breeze for the past seven years, ever since the 137-acre Georgia-Pacific pulp and paper mill closed down in 2001. Recently, the Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham have made significant headway toward action in the development of Bellingham Bay's shore, although plenty of details need to be finalized in the next few months.

•   Cheap Ways for Water Fun in Bellingham
  

  As the weather heats up, Whatcom County families are searching for ways to beat the heat that are also easy on the pocketbook. For a free (or pretty cheap) way to cool off with some water fun, consider a trip to a local spray park or a nearby lake with swimming access. Whether your kids love to swim or just want to get a little wet, there are lots of fun ways to cool down in Bellingham for kids and adults.

•   Movie Review: WALL-E
  

  Just in time for the sweltering dog days of summer (and the three-day holiday weekend), "WALL-E" makes its way into theatres. And following in the tradition of previous Pixar Animation Studios movies, their ninth full-length film blends inventive computer-generation animation, a serene score, and thoughtful storytelling that appeals to kids and adults with its likable robot characters and a simple message about taking care of our planet.

•   Buskers Make the Farmers Market Special
  

  As you make your way through the Bellingham Farmers Market, you’ll probably notice lots of street musicians and performers scattered throughout the vendors. These individuals are called “buskers” and Market Manager Robin Crowder believes that farmers markets and buskers go hand-in-hand. “I think the two are perpetually linked,” she said.

•   Farmers Market Welcomes Kid Vendors
  

  Embracing the nearly-lost art of the corner lemonade stand, the Bellingham Farmers Market gives young entrepreneurs the chance to make and sell their wares to the community on Kids Vending Day at the last Saturday Market of each month. And the creative kids in Bellingham can be found vending just about everything: jewelry, handmade soap, flowers, collars for pets and much more.

•   Experience the Bellingham Farmers Market
  

  A trip to the Bellingham Farmers Market is no ordinary grocery shopping trip. At what grocery store could you find fresh and locally-grown produce, buy a new hemp outfit, eat authentic French crepes, get a massage, and watch a fire juggling show? If you know of one, I’d love to hear about it and check it out because all these things and much more make a day at the Bellingham Farmers Market a special event.

•   Caffe Adagio - Coffee with a Family Touch
  

  Dianna and Luke Del Diorgio had discussed starting their own business, perhaps a bed and breakfast, during their retirement years. But after the birth of their son Isaiah, now 3, they decided that owning a business would allow them to spend more time together as a family. They opened up Caffe Adagio, located in downtown Bellingham, in August of 2006.

•   Wedding Etiquette for Kids (And Adults)
  

  A wedding is a special day for two people to declare their love in front of their friends and family, and to celebrate that love with a big party. Children can be a fun part of weddings, but there are a lot of points to consider, both for the Happy Couple and for parents. In honor of wedding season, here are some tips to think about when including kids in wedding festivities.

•   2008 Ski to Sea Junior Parade and Race
  

  Running, skiing, and canoeing all around Mt. Baker and Bellingham might be a little intense for the elementary-age bunch. Luckily, kids can join in the Ski to Sea fun with a Junior Parade and Junior Race, both of which took place this past weekend in Bellingham. You couldn’t have asked for better weather, with plenty of sunshine making it a great day to be outside as with family and friends in Bellingham.

•   Biking Kids Around Bellingham
  

  If you’re a regular bike commuter, there’s no reason for your habits to change just because kids enter the picture. There are several options of bike transports for kids that are safe and diverse to fit your lifestyle and needs. And in a bike-friendly community like Bellingham, there are lots of businesses and resources here to help to help you find the perfect bike transport for your kids.

•   Feeding Family Spirit: Cards for Connection
  

  Deb Dole has always loved questions. “I’ve collected them for years,” the Bellingham mother of two said in a recent interview. While a compilation of questions might seem like an unusual collection to keep, Deb turned her casual hobby into an interpersonal family game and started distributing her product in the Bellingham area. Her game is called 'Feeding Family Spirit: Cards for Connection', which she began manufacturing two years ago.

•   Great Kid Reads for National Poetry Month
  

  Kids love poetry before they even know what poetry is. Any preschooler just learning their sounds and letters will be happy to tell you all the rhyming words they know. And they definitely know that you don't need to be a scholar to write poetry. All you need is an imagination. If you're looking for some poems to get the kids pumped for National Poetry Month, here are a few personal recommendations of books that will help kids learn while they appreciate poetry.

•   Why Kids Will Love A Trip to the Library
  

  When I was a kid, libraries always filled me with a sense of wonder and possibility. But I know that not all kids are as easily captivated by books. To find out what resources at the Bellingham Public Library might be help get your kids excited about reading, I spoke to Bethany Hoglund, Bellingham Public Library's Children's Programming Specialist, and she had some useful tips for getting the most out of your family's library experience.

•   Amateur Filmmakers, Get Ready for Ski to Sea!
  

  If you plan on attending Bellingham's annual Ski to Sea Race on May 25th, you might notice a lot of people with video cameras documenting the event. That’s because the race has a new feature this year: the Ski to Sea Amateur Video Contest on YouTube. Wanna-be filmmakers of all ages are invited to submit their videos for judging and you can enter as many videos as you can make. Creativity and family-friendly humor are encouraged.

•   Kids Take Center Stage at BAAY
  

  What are some of your child’s favorite activities for at-home play? Most kids can keep themselves busy with creative pursuits like singing, playing dress-up, and storytelling. If you’d like to help your child develop these talents and get them interacting with other kids, there’s a great local organization that helps kids get excited about music, theater, and dance: Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth, or BAAY.

•   Mother and Entrepreneur Delivers Milk to Your Door
  

  Imagine trying to raise a family, finishing a Master's degree in Public and Community Health, and starting up not just one but two businesses in the same year. Most people would be intimidated to undertake just one of those endeavors, let alone all of them at once. But that’s just what Amanda Werchan did. In March, she launched Eco Milk Delivery, bringing fresh milk, bread, and other goods to Bellingham homes by bike.

•   Whatcom County Girl Scouts and Their Famous Cookies
  

  If you’ve visited a Haggen, Starbucks, or even Best Buy over the past two weekends, you’re probably aware that the annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale is on across Whatcom County and the rest of the country. But you might not know that the Cookie Sale coincides with the anniversary of this organization for American girls, or that the second week of March is celebrated as National Girl Scout Week.

•   Get On Your Feet and Wii
  

  During the early spring in Bellingham, it can be difficult to motivate the kids (and plenty of grown-ups too) to do anything but curl up on the couch in front of the television on a drizzly afternoon. And if your kids are the kind that always have a video game controller glued to their hands, you might be excited to hear about some current video games that are getting kids off the couch and on their feet.

•   Healthy Heart Habits for Life
  

  One of the best ways to decrease the risk of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases for your kids is to give them the tools to live healthy adult lives starting now. Regular exercise, proper eating habits, and checking in with your doctor on a regular basis are important for kids and adults alike. Here are some helpful reminders to getting your kids started on the right foot to avoid heart disease.

•   Fountain Galleria Says Good-Bye
  

  After over a century, Fountain Galleria is closing in March this year. Kids, and adults, will miss testing out many of the quality products that could be found in their toy department, especially in their toy train section. The Bellingham community bids a sorrowful good-bye to this beloved family store. Thank you, Fountain Galleria, for the many memories and for the inspiration that you have provided for kids and adults in Bellingham.

•   Homemade Valentines from the Heart
  

  When I was in elementary school, it always felt like a special treat to go to the grocery store and pick out a box of valentines to pass out during our class party. As a grown-up, now I wonder if I could have been a little more creative with my valentines. Homemade valentines have an individuality to them that can reflect your personality, and they’ll show your friends that you thought about them specifically as you made their card.

•   Local Youth Storyteller to Tell in Tennessee
  

  The after-school hobbies of Maya Norton, a 12-year-old homeschooler and Bellingham resident, are similar to many kids. She enjoys athletic events, like gymnastics and swimming, and she is also interested in creative pursuits, like art and singing. But Maya participates in one activity that’s not so common for most pre-teens: she is a storyteller. Her skills have qualified her to compete in the National Youth Storytelling Showcase in Tennessee this month.

•   International Celebrations at the WCM
  

  Remember when you were a kid and you started to understand that there was a big world outside your neighborhood, your school, your town? That there were kids who lived millions of miles away, and when you had to go to bed at night, they were waking up for the start of a new day? The Whatcom Children’s Museum helps bring such global awareness to kids and their parents in a series called “International Celebrations.”

•   A Brief History of Chess
  

  I come from a family of gameplayers. Every Christmas, Santa would bring us a new board game. One summer of my adolescence, the four of us spent practically every evening on the deck playing penny poker. Life didn't change that much when I went to college. “Game nights” were always a great excuse to have a gathering, whether it was an organized Bunco tournament or an impromptu round of Speed Scrabble. But one game that never held my interest was chess.

•   Books and Movies Share Black History
  

  The life’s work of Dr. King and the history of the Civil Rights Movement can be a tricky subject for parents. It's an uncomfortable topic, but it’s also important to remember how far we've come as a nation. Even if parents are uneasy about addressing certain questions, kids can learn lessons about diversity and accepting each other's differences from discussing this history. One helpful way to start a conversation about some of these issues is to use books, films, and songs to share stories about African-American history.

•   Bellingham: A City of Active Kids and Parents
  

  It’s hard to narrow down just what makes Bellingham, the City of Subdued Excitement, such a special place to live. Many citizens enjoy our location's natural beauty, while others appreciate the strong sense of community here. One compliment consistently paid to our little town is that Bellingham is a great place to raise children. And that’s exactly what sets Neighborhood-Kids.com apart from other parenting websites: an emphasis on raising kids in our unique community.

•   Memories and Traditions
  

  When you hear the word “tradition,” you probably think of somber rituals where things of great importance are remembered and revered. Images of Tevye from “Fiddler on the Roof” belting out “Tradition!” on a country road might come to mind. Tradition is a word that I always think about during the holidays.

•   Kids Night Out
  

  On a recent Saturday night, I made plans to see my friends Avery and Ben. Well, technically I made the plans with Kelly, their mother. Did I not mention that Avery and Ben are four and two, respectively?

•   "By the Bay" at the Children's Museum
  

  Ahoy, mateys! Kids can learn about the fishing traditions and marine life of Bellingham Bay at the Whatcom Children’s Museum latest exhibit, “By the Bay: Working on the Waterfront.”

•   Movie Review: Enchanted
  

  Capitalizing on the success of their own Disney Princess brand, a line of clothing, toys and other products featuring heroines of the company’s cartoon features, Disney brings “Enchanted” to theatres for the holiday season.

•   Finding (and Keeping) a Babysitter
  

  There are lots of different reasons to need a babysitter, for various lengths of time and hours per week. As seasoned in-home babysitter, I’m happy to give you a few tips on where to find and how to keep the right babysitter for your kids.